Caughtoffside reports Liverpool are interested again in Villa’s forgotten keeper Shay Given. Brendan Rodgers is still keen on bringing an experienced keeper to Anfield. Given would be a good understudy for current number 1 Mignolet and Given’s presence should also put more pressure on Mignolet to perform. Given has already expressed his desire to leave Aston Villa in January as he searches for first team football. The article doesn’t mention whether or not this will be a permanent deal or a loan deal. During the summer transfer window Rodgers tried to bring in Given on loan but Liverpool couldn’t agree how the wages would be split up with Aston Villa.

I’d like Given to leave, not only because he’s sucking up our wage budget. But a quality keeper of his experience should be playing football. He is wasting his career here and I reckon he’ll be off. But the big factor is interest, right now I don’t know any team in the Premier League that is desperate need of a quality keeper. Could Given move internationally? Sure, but his wages will never be matched outside of England. Realistically, if Begovic leaves Stoke I reckon Hughes will bring Given in as his replacement.

Gabriel Agbonlahor wants to sign a new contract with Aston Villa. The longest serving Villa player made his debut for the club in March 2006 and his current deal is expiring in one and half years. Agbonlahor has mentioned several times that he’s happy to stay with Villa for the rest of his career and continue playing for his boy-hood club. When asked if he wanted to prolong his stay with Aston Villa past 2015 he replied:

“Of course.

“But I’ve still got a year-and-a-half left, which is a long time in football, and you leave things until the right time. It’s about playing football at the moment.

“It is hard in this league to be a one-club man but it’s always been on my mind to play for Villa until I retire. It feels weird even thinking about putting another shirt on.”

If Agbonlahor continues to play well, I see no reason why the board should’t offer him a new contract. He is a good player that offers a lot. He has contributed 3 assists (more than any other player) and began the season on fire. I hope he can score a few goals this season because that’s what were really missing right now!

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It sets a great example to other footballers that Gabby is a one club man.He is a professional,does a lot for acorns and I’m glad he wants to stay at AVFC.If Lambert keeps him he will go down in Villa history as one of our most loyal players.Fantstic UTV

i don’t believe the given rumours for a second.
also why would given leave so he can sit on a different bench

I think its a slow week for news is all. the Jan transfer rumours are starting really early this year.

also i am not overly convinced by the vossen rumours either.
I am sure we scouted him .. it would make sense considering he was there the whole time benteke was. but its just too obvious for me. Ghenk, belgian .. benteke replacement ..
blah blah blah ..
also of all the football rumours that have popped up ahead of time for villa since Lambert arrived, has one actually come true?
I know stories have broken about a few our signings, but its usually when the club confirms it or the player is on his way for a medical at that stage.

its normally been a case of villa make an announcement and we all start googling the unheard of player

.. but now we have 3 ! i know its weird and difficult to criticise, espeicially when you consider there is only one other premiership team who has managed that many so far .. Arsenal! .. also on 3 clean sheets so far ..

on the other hand .. although i didn’t hear those rumours myself! .. it appears they have come true ..

Badger that would be a good call for ALL players and all teams, a basic of X amount across the board and the rest in success / performance related bonuses. Will never happen but that really would be ‘Fair Play’.

He sells shirts as the local lad come good, so he will command a higher wage, even though his top footballing asset is his pace and he’s not going to get any quicker at 28 onwards. Ask Michael Owen!!

What other club would give him the £55k per week he is supposed to be on for the return he has given with all his injuries and loss of form since he signed that contract? (apart from maybe QPR as they buy anyone and put them on stupid wages)

Are we turning things? he said he wants to stop at Villa, I think he’s happy there,he’s not asking for more money is he? I know he blows hot and cold with his form, I think its down to him seeing no hope players in the club. The only thing at the moment is his speed in the game and that’s going to end in a couple of years. Mark has said he is a idol at Villa and sells shirts and a Villa fan. I don’t think he would abandon Villa and the fans.

According to the Mirror both Gabby and Andi Weimann are out injured so PL’s going to play
either Kozak or Helenius. For 2 reasons I hope it’s Helenius, (1)He seems a more technically gifted player than Kozak and I want to see what he’s all about and (2) imo Kozak and Benteke are to similar in style and with two big lumps up front I think the tendency will be to hump down the middle, not a very appetizing prospect.

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